Radio Access Protocol Version Indication for Wireless Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack a defined method for deactivating radio access configuration functions introduced in unsupported protocol versions, leading to interoperability issues during handovers in 3GPP networks.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a network entity sends an indication of a required radio access protocol version to a wireless communication unit, allowing it to deactivate functionality introduced in later versions not supported by the target base station, thereby ensuring compatibility and reducing signaling overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network entity sends an indication of a required radio access protocol version to the wireless communication unit, then interoperability compatibility is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential protocol version indication from the full protocol configuration, sending merely the version number rather than complete configuration parameters. This selective extraction reduces signaling overhead while maintaining the ability to ensure compatibility by deactivating unsupported functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being signaled from complete radio access configuration to a simplified protocol version indicator. This parameter transformation reduces the amount of signaling data while enabling the receiving entity to determine which functionality to activate or deactivate, thus ensuring interoperability without excessive signaling.
2Reliability
If the wireless communication unit deactivates functionality introduced in later protocol versions, then compatibility with target base station is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic functionality activation/deactivation based on the indicated protocol version. The wireless communication unit automatically adjusts its active functionality set according to the target base station's protocol version, enabling compatibility without requiring complex manual configuration or permanent support for all possible functionality combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary determination of the required protocol version before executing the functionality deactivation. The network entity sends the version indication in advance, allowing the wireless communication unit to pre-configured its functionality set to match the target base station capabilities, avoiding compatibility issues during actual operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If explicit signaling from target base station is used to deactivate unsupported functionality, then configuration precision is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the protocol version number as an intermediary parameter that indirectly controls functionality activation. Instead of sending explicit deactivation commands for each unsupported function, the system transmits the version number which serves as a mediator, allowing the receiving entity to autonomously determine which functionalities to activate or deactivate based on version compatibility rules.
4Reliability
If the network entity sends protocol version indication during handover, then handover success rate is improved, but handover delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent sends the protocol version indication during the handover preparation phase, before the actual handover execution. This preliminary transmission allows the wireless communication unit to pre-configure its functionality set, ensuring that when the handover is executed, no additional configuration delays occur and compatibility is already ensured.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for configuring radio access functionality of a wireless communication unit within a wireless communication network, the method comprising sending to the wireless communication unit an indication of a required radio access protocol version to which the wireless communication unit is to be reconfigured.